P026A code

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I’ve been getting this code randomly since the truck was new. I brought it to the dealer a couple times while still under warranty and they said there’s nothing wrong. I do have an aftermarket bumper, but I still got this code for 30K miles with the factory bumper installed. Any ideas where I should be looking?

 

[Topzide]

Code states that the IC is getting heat soaked. Were all the baffles there with factory bumper? Without air flow over and through the IC, this code would be thrown. What are the cooling system numbers running? If the radiator wasn't cooling well, heat could affect the IC. Strange the the dealer wasn't able to see and do anything about it. You left the code for the dealer to clear to preserve the data with it. Maybe others have some insight.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I believe everything was in place on the factory bumper. Just by going off the engine temp gauge, the truck doesn’t run hot. The fan hardly ever comes on unless I’m towing pretty heavy, but that code barely ever comes on during those times. Thinking about it, it comes on more when not towing and traveling on the interstate.
I left the codes for the dealer to see. When they test drove it the engine light came on for them.
Sometimes, the light comes on first thing in the morning when I start the truck after it’s been sitting for a few days.

 

[Ozymandias]

Your IAT could be faulty, delivering wrong values.
But a work shop should really check these basics...

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Your IAT could be faulty, delivering wrong values.
But a work shop should really check these basics...

I will put a new one in and see if it helps.

 

[Timd32]

Here is a write up on this one. Agree they should check some basics on this one.

 

[gtwitch]

I had this happen when I changed the front bumper and after I worked on that and customed the airflow into the Intercooler, problem went away , this 20k miles ago and never came back. the code I was getting was P026A and with the new bumper before mods I would get the code in fall cool driving with a tailwind.
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[Ozymandias]

I’ve been getting this code randomly since the truck was new. I brought it to the dealer a couple times while still under warranty and they said there’s nothing wrong. I do have an aftermarket bumper, but I still got this code for 30K miles with the factory bumper installed. Any ideas where I should be looking?

Did they perform all updates available for the ECM?
It could be as good a programming issue that was later corrected.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Did they perform all updates available for the ECM?
It could be as good a programming issue that was later corrected.

I have no idea. I know everybody says it, but the dealers around here are some of the worst. They do not have anyone who can diagnose anything. They either can’t find what’s wrong and tell you everything is ok, or they throw parts at it hoping one will solve the problem.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I had this happen when I changed the front bumper and after I worked on that and customed the airflow into the Intercooler, problem went away , this 20k miles ago and never came back. the code I was getting was P026A and with the new bumper before mods I would get the code in fall cool driving with a tailwind.
gtwitch in wyoming

It would be nice if mine was that simple. Yesterday my son removed the front bumper and drove around all day. Engine light came on while driving down the highway, pulled over to check the codes, P026A.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd give the order to check specifically for ECM and all other systems updates at the dealership.
We want to know that everything runs the latest revision software before we start throwing parts at it.

This is such a simple task that even the broom guy at the dealership can accomplish it.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Well, I never got the chance to try anything new, before another problem arose. Coming home from a job the other day the truck started running hot, hovered right under the red. Pulled over and looked under the hood. Fan blades had worn the left/right sides of the shroud down to nothing. Fan blades had melted plastic all over them. Grabbed the fan and it wiggled back and forth about ½”, fan clutch is shot. Limped it home and started tearing it down, which was a downward spiral of more hidden problems.

Found passenger side charge pipe was paper thin in one spot where it had been rubbing on the air intake piping, which was worn thru. While removing the air box, I found a dead bird wedged in the front door ram air flapper. When the bird had hit the air box, it broke the flapper door and internal connecting rod.

While limping the truck home, I also got a couple turbo codes, can’t remember the numbers off hand but they weren’t good. Turbo had a good life, but it was now over.

Yesterday my son and I installed the BD Screamer turbo/manifold kit with all new feed/return lines.
We then installed a Banks intercooler kit and an S&B cold air intake kit. I also ditched the electric clutch fan for a mechanical clutch fan from a ‘97 7.3 Powerstroke and a fan from an ‘06 Cummins.

I towed a mini excavator to and from a job today and this is the first time in as long as I can remember that I did not get the P026A code. What fixed it? No idea! Maybe it was one of the parts or a combination of the parts. Either way, don’t care, truck runs great!!

 

[Lordsman]

Glad you got that fixed. I've been following your thread since I've got a 2014 3500 as well. Disappointing that the dealer couldn't fix it. Doesn't seem like they looked too hard (it seems that bird was in there the whole time)! I'll be looking mine over especially the charge air pipe and air intake pipe issues you found.

 

[Grumpy8811]

Glad you got that fixed. I've been following your thread since I've got a 2014 3500 as well. Disappointing that the dealer couldn't fix it. Doesn't seem like they looked too hard (it seems that bird was in there the whole time)! I'll be looking mine over especially the charge air pipe and air intake pipe issues you found.

generally the reason the dealer wont look too hard is the mechanics ( technicians) dont get paid for warranty work diagnosis.. so if it aint staring at them, they aren't going to look very hard.

that is one of the biggest issues with warranty work for the guys who actually do the work, they don't make money doing it... in fact they are almost unpaid slaves of the dealer and corporate network..

 

[Diesel85]

generally the reason the dealer wont look too hard is the mechanics ( technicians) dont get paid for warranty work diagnosis.. so if it aint staring at them, they aren't going to look very hard.

that is one of the biggest issues with warranty work for the guys who actually do the work, they don't make money doing it... in fact they are almost unpaid slaves of the dealer and corporate network..

After going through my last experience with my truck, if it is under warranty, the technician needs to follow the STAR technical diagnosis processes.

But yes, you are right, warranty work only provides the dealer (thus the tech) with only half the amount of paid work. Versus out of pocket (or a real/good 3rd party warranty program) which they then get paid the full amount.

 

[p-Bar]

I'm sure they spread the warranty work around as it's crap pay. Make up for it with the credit card payers.

 

[Grumpy8811]

After going through my last experience with my truck, if it is under warranty, the technician needs to follow the STAR technical diagnosis processes.

But yes, you are right, warranty work only provides the dealer (thus the tech) with only half the amount of paid work. Versus out of pocket (or a real/good 3rd party warranty program) which they then get paid the full amount.

I'm a retired mechanic, worked in a fleet at an hourly wage all my life.. so I know guys who worked at auto dealerships..and for the most part
what has happened over the years is the manufacturers cut back on warranty pay, thru either cutting the pay time and the manufacturers never paid for driving a vehicle or diagnosis.. so qualified people end up going into other areas where they make more money... and the new guys who may have potential end up starving
because they get stuck doing warranty work.
My son one time asked me if he should become a mechanic, and I told him you'd be stupid too want to do it..

As anyone I ever knew who worked flat rate said " YOU DON'T GET PAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE" and that is the main issue why it is hard to get some stuff repaired.
I can tell you right now, none of the techs involved want to fool with difficult diagnosis as basically they are working for free..

 

[Grumpy8811]

I'm sure they spread the warranty work around as it's crap pay. Make up for it with the credit card payers.

You know why mechanics toolboxes have wheels? LOL. They'' push their toolbox right down the street to the next dealership as soon as they realize they are getting reamed by the dealer.

Basically depends on the dealership and the service writers or repair shop management if they hose all the techs equally or hose a couple guys until they quit and give the lucrative work to the favorites.. plenty of times kickbacks are involved between service writers and mechanics..

my buddy worked at a Saturn Dealership since Saturn went into business and finally went out of business when GM went bankrupt.
He quit when he figured out the new service writer staff were playing favorites and holding the good jobs for certain guys and shoving all the money losers on the rest of them..

He went to the GEN manager of the dealership and told him why he was quitting..

within about 2 months of him quitting, 4 more experienced guys hit the street.
Once a dealership starts bleeding skilled techs, a dealership is screwed because you can't get them back..

like he says, 6 months go by, he's working at a different Saturn Dealer and he gets a call from the GM of his previous job explaining how they fired the Service Writers and the manager of the service side and would he like his job back?..

of course he said No Way.

 

[Diesel85]

depends on the dealership and the service writers or repair shop management if they hose all the techs equally or hose a couple guys until they quit and give the lucrative work to the favorites.. plenty of times kickbacks are involved between service writers and mechanics..

my buddy worked at a Saturn Dealership since Saturn went into business and finally went out of business when GM went bankrupt.
He quit when he figured out the service writers were playing favorites and holding the good jobs for certain guys
and shoving the money losers on the rest of them..

He went to the GEN manager of the dealership and told him why he was quitting..

within about 2 months of him quitting, 4 more experienced guys hit the street. Once you lose your good techs you are screwed.

like he says, 6 months go by, he's working at a different Saturn Dealer and he get s a call from the GM of his previous job
explaining how they fired the Service Writers and the manager of the service side and would he like his job back?..

of course he said No Way.

funny thing is there is a shortage of skilled techs.

Most people don't want to wrench. People think of mechanics as dirty, filthy garage animals. They don't want to know them till they need them.

Youngin's these days want a cushy corner-office job sipping lattes and reading emails... and telling us older folk to do our already hard jobs, even harder.

If I wasn't doing what I'm doing now, I'd love to be a mechanic/diesel mechanic.

I turn wrenches for myself, and for a select few I work on friend's vehicles and they ask me why am I not a mechanic. Apparently I do good work turning wrenches.

 

[Tuesdak]

Found passenger side charge pipe was paper thin in one spot where it had been rubbing on the air intake piping, which was worn thru.

This "inspection" is one reason to change the oil filter through the top now and then.

Seriously it took TWO dealers to change parts under warranty after I pointed this rubbing wear problem out on mine to the service writer. Two.